So to be honest I never really put a lot of thought into what I was eating until lately. As most young adults, and society, I found convenience in pre-packaged, take-out, and microwavable meals. Really, I think I survived on Poptarts and Lean Cuisine for most of my time at University. Of course the occasional fruit & veg would sneak its way into my diet too – but I wasn’t making conscious eating decisions. Like I said, it wasn’t until recently that I realized the amount of garbage I was putting into my system. I guess what really turned things around for me was a trip to Italy where I took on a new diet of eating whole foods and fresh meals. Oh ya, and totally cutting out the fried, packaged, and frozen foods – pretty much all the things we come to crave. After one month of eating right I started to notice a change in myself – I felt more energetic, I had fewer headaches and I was getting a leaner body. All the while eating carbs – isn’t that amazing? I thought maybe the Italian sun might have something to do with it too, but now that I’m back home, and have stuck to eating right, I still feel just as good. Like many people, I don’t think I realized the damage I was doing to my body by eating so much junk until I actually stopped. And now, when I do indulge in chips or fried foods, I can feel my stomach rejecting it – almost crying out ‘WHY?”- not to mention the sudden ‘fast food fatigue’ that hits you like a ton of bricks. For me, it seems so obvious now that what we eat determines our physical and mental health! I am definitely looking to learn more about orthomolecular health and about how I can take control by finding an individualized approach to my wellbeing, especially as I age. Hopefully I can share my experiences with people here and maybe even motivate someone to take the first steps towards a healthier lifestyle!  Until next time! Ciao!Elisa